Helen Louisa Cihak

Helen Louisa Cihak, 81, formerly of East Jordan, surrounded by family members passed away Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, at her home in Boyne City.

Helen fought an inspirational, courageous battle against cancer the past two years.

She was born Sept. 9, 1922, in East Jordan, the daughter of the late Duncan and Lenetta (Ikens) McColman.

On Oct. 5, 1940, in East Jordan, she married Louis "Monk" Cihak. He preceded her in death Nov. 13, 1995.

Helen grew up in East Jordan and graduated from East Jordan High School. She was a homemaker most of her life. Helen had also worked at the canning factory in East Jordan as well as a receptionist in a local real estate office. She served the East Jordan community in many capacities and the First Presbyterian Church in East Jordan as deacon for many years. Recently, she had been attending the Boyne City United Methodist Church.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., in East Jordan. The Rev. Carl Litchfield of the Boyne City United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery in East Jordan.

The family will receive friends 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the funeral home.

Helen had expressed her wishes that donations be made to the Hospice of Michigan in grateful appreciation of their kind and loving care of her.